Comic Book News

Rate & Share:

Related Links:

Info:

Oni Celebrates MADMAN

Oni Press is working with Mike Allred to bring his original MADMAN comics back into print, in time for the 10th anniversary of the character.

Originally published in 1992 by Tundra, MADMAN: THE ODDITY ODYSSEY was unlike anything comics fans had seen before. It's quirky mix of superheroes and pop culture, plus Allred's bold and fluid linework, set the tone for how most independent comics were viewed in the ensuing decade. The three-issue miniseries, presented in black-and-white with gray tones, was immediately followed by the second Tundra series, the full-color MADMAN ADVENTURES, before Allred took the character to Dark Horse. Though both series have been collected previously, they have been unavailable for several years.

"Mike Allred is one of the main reasons I am in this business," Oni Press publisher Joe Nozemack says. "It's truly an honor to be reprinting these wonderful stories. Even after a decade, they blow away 90 percent of what's on the racks. They're fun, irreverent, and redefine how we view comics as pop art. Allred is a true original."

"Oni is like a home away from home for me," Allred says. "When I started my own publishing through AAA Pop, Oni acted as a big brother and helped me get things off the ground, with Joe Nozemack giving me advise on how to get the ball rolling and Jamie S. Rich returning to the editorial capacity he had served with me at Dark Horse. When it came time to find these books new guardians, I didn't have to look far."

MADMAN: THE ODDITY ODYSSEY will be shipped to comic book stores on Feb. 15. It will be followed on June 13 by MADMAN ADVENTURES. Both will feature new covers by Mike and Laura Allred, and the second trade will also feature the extensive gallery section from the Graphitti hardcover MADMAN: TWO TRILOGIES.

As a bonus, MADMAN ADVENTURES will reprint for the first time anywhere the very first appearance of Frank Einstein, Madman's alter-ego. This short story originally appeared in CREATURES OF THE ID, a Caliber published collaboration between Allred, Jeff Lang and Bernie Mireault. Long out of print, it will be colored for the first time by Laura Allred.